Healthy Vegan - A Shepherds Pie for Halloween

I joke you not, but this was our dinner this evening - Jack Skellington - Shepherds Pie, vegetarian of course. 

 Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas never looked so happy.  What do you think?!  
Yes, I know there needs to be more slices of black olives for his mouth.  I know...Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself and you can still give me some credit for trying today - Halloween of all days. 



Jack Skellington - A Shepherds Pie for Halloween 
Serves 6 - 8 generously
Ingredients
200grams TVP reconstituted and then drained of excess liquid. 
Set aside

2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
2- 3 medium onion, minced
2 - 3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 x 400grams tinned tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste or Harissa paste for spice
250grams carrots, peeled and diced
1/4 pint vegetable stock
60grams black olives, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

600g-800g potatoes, mashed with butter or margarine
Black olives for Jack Skellington face - if you can be bothered
100grams cheese or vegan alternative, shredded
Method
In a wide pan, heat the oil, then add the onions and cook on medium heat until it begins to soften, then stir in the garlic and herb and saute for a few minutes for the spices to mingle and the garlic to soften with the onions.
Then stir in the chopped tomatoes
Leave to cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes and paste are well integrated.
Stir in the carrots and reconstituted TVP and cook until tender and stock.
Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer until  it has thickened. 
Stir in optional vegetables and black olives.
Simmer for a few minutes, before turning off the heat and transfer contents into a large ovenproof dish.
To the mashed potatoes, stir in the grated cheese or vegan alternative.  
Then carefully cover the pie filling distributing evenly. 
Carefully lay out sliced olives to resemble Jack Skellington face- better than mine, of course!
Bake in preheated oven, gas mark 5/200oc for 45-50 minutes or until golden and bubbling on the side.  
Serve immediately.  

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